Road-sweeping machine.



C. R. PROSSER.`

ROAD SWBEPING MACHINE.

APPLIUATION FILED 00T. zo, 1913.

Patented May 26, 1914.

a SHEETS-SHEET 1.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH C0.,wAsHINaToN. D. c.

C. R. PROSSER.

ROAD SWBEPING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED 00T. zo, 1913.

Patented May 26, 1914,

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

COLUMBIA PLANoaR/PH C01, WASHINGTON, D.

c. R. PRossER. ROAD SWEBPING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 00T. 20, 1913.

1,097,936, `Imntef11amy 26, 1914.

S SHEETS-SHEET 3.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH ca .wAsl-IINITON. C.

UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEioE.

CHARLES ROBERT PROSSER, 0F SOUTH YARRA., MELBOURNE, VlCTORIA, AUSTRALIA.

ROAD-SWEEPING MACHINE.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES ROBERT PRossER, a subject of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, and a resident of the post-town of South Yarra, a district of the city of Prahran, a suburb of the city of Melbourne, inthe county of Bourke, State of Victoria, Commonwealth of Australia, have invented a certain new and useful Improved Road-Sweeping Machine, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to road sweeping machines employing a rotary brush or brushes to gather refuse upon the road surface and' direct it to a suitable receptacle carried by the machine.

In many road sweeping apparatus the brushes are often in contact with the road to an unnecessary extent and are continually rotating. Abnormal draft and wear is thereby entailed. In addition satisfactory provision has not been made for readily discharging the contents of the receptacle when necessary.

The object of this invention is to provide a road sweeping machine which will be positive in action, efficient in use, light of draft, and capable of readily dumping the refuse gathered.

By this invention a plurality of brushes are used and adapted to sweep the road surface periodically and are rotated or operatively driven only when actually directing refuse or garbage to the machine receptacle. Provision is also made forv effecting the discharge of the refuse or garbage receptacle by means of a hand wheel.

Referring to the drawings z-Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved machine, with parts broken away and in section, and the wheels omitted. Fig. 2 is a plan view. Fig. 3 is a rear end elevation.

The improved machine includes two front road wheels 2 between which extends a front axle 3. Above the axle is a suitable turntable 4 of any known character. Two rear road wheels 5 are also employed. Between the rear wheels extends a rear axle 6. This axle is mounted in suitable bearings secured to a framework comprising two side pieces 7 disposed above the said axle. Any suitable cross pieces may extend between the side pieces 7. Secured to the framework are shafts or other draft devices 8. Carried by the framework above the front axle 3 is a suitable drivers seat 9,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 20, 1913.

Patented May 26, 1914. Serial No. 796,286.

`that is connected by a rod 14 to the short arm 15 of a bell-crank lever, the long arm -16 of this lever being provided with a fork 17. Engaging the fork 17 is a suitable clutch member 18, driven by and slidably vmounted upon the rear axle 6. The crank lever is pivotally supported by the framework. Loosely mounted upon the rear axle 6, at one end thereof, is a gear 19 engaged by the clutch member 18. The road wheel 5 adjoining the clutch member is fixed to the rear axle 6. The road wheel 5 at the other end of the axle is loose upon the same.

Secured to the rear axle 6 adjacent the llooselymounted wheel 5 is a ratchet wheel 20. Plvoted to the wheel 5 adjoining the said ratchet wheel is a pawl 21 which engages the said ratchet 20 and may be controlled by a suitable spring. By the pawl and ratchet wheel the one road wheel may over-run the other when the machine is turning.

Secured to each side member 7 of the framework, near the rear axle 6, is an upstanding segmental guideway 22 wherein is suitably fitted a suitable bearing block 23 which may be adjusted and locked in place in any suitable manner. Mounted in the bearing blocks 23 is a cross shaft 24' having fixed thereon a gear 25 engaging the gear 19. Also mounted upon the cross shaft 24: are two sprocket wheels 26.

With the foregoing is used a pivoted floating frame consisting of two cheeks 27 pivoted at their front ends to the first cross shaft 24 and supported or suspended at their rear ends in the manner hereinafter described. Projecting inwardly from each cheek is a lug 28 provided with an adjustable stop 29. The stops 29 rest, when the machine is sweeping, upon the side members 7 of the main framework. Secured to or carried by each cheek 27, at the top thereof, is a chain channel guide 30. Also secured t0 or carried by each cheek 27, at the bottom thereof, is a toothed rack 31. Mounted upon a stud or the like projecting from each cheek is a second sprocket wheel 32. Also mounted upon a stud or the like projecting from each cheek is a friction guide roller 82a.

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Passing around the sprocket wheels 26, through the channel guides 30, around the sprocket wheels 32, and around the rollers are two first sprocket chains 33 carrying bearings 34 which may be equi-distant or otherwise arranged. Mounted in the bearings 34 and extending between the chains 33 is a series of brush spindles 35. Secured to each spindle 35, at each end thereof, is a gear 36 engaging the corresponding toothed rack 31 of the floating` frame. Also carried by each spindle 35, adjacent each gear 36, is a friction roller 37 engaging the upper edges of the cl-.eeks 27. Mounted upon each spindle 35, between the friction rollers 37 thereon, is a rotatable brush 38 of any desired character.

Adjoining the drivel-s seat 9 is a hand wheel 39 secured to a cross shaft 40. Mounted upon the cross shaft 40 is a sprocket wheel 41, around which passes a chain 42, this chain also passing around a sprocket wheel 43 secured to a cross shaft 44 mounted in suitable bearings carried by the side members 7 of the framework. Mounted upon the cross shaft 44 at each end thereof is a suitable winding drum 45 to which is secured one end of a cable 46, the other end of which cable is secured to the pivoted floating frame. Any suitable means may be employed to lock the hand wheel 39 in any desired position.

Secured to each side member 7, near the rear axle 6, is a bracket 47. Mounted in each bracket is an adjusting screw 48 carrying a nut 49 to which is pivotally connected the upper end of a depending rod 50, the lower end of which is secured to or forms part of the upper end of a garbage guideway 51. Secured to the lower end of the garbage guideway 51 is a removable wearing strip 52. The guideway 51 is of channel section and consists of a bottom and two side cheeks as shown. Secured to each side cheek, at or near the bottom thereof, is the lower end of a flexible connection 53 the upper end of which is secured to the pivoted floating frame.

Adjoining the drivers seat is a hand wheel 54 secured to a worm shaft 55 mounted in suitable bearings carried by the framework. Upon the worm shaftis a worm 56 engaging a worm wheel 57 mounted upon a cross shaft 58 journaled in suitable bearings carried by the side members 7 of the framework. Secured to the cross shaft 58 is a garbage receptacle 59 which consists of a box or chamber provided with an elongated transverse mouth 60, the garbage receiver being otherwise closed.

llVt-h this invention, when it is desired to transport the machine, the hand wheel 39 is rotated. This rotates, by the sprocket wheels 41 and 43, the cross shaft 44 and the winding drums 45. As the winding drums rotate, the cables 46 are wound thereon and the rear end of the pivoted floating frame is elevated, the frame swinging upon the shaft 24 and raising the brushes 38 from contact or possible contact with the road surface, the lower end of the garbage guide 51 also being lifted from the road surface by the flexible connection 53. By depressing the treadle 10 the clutch member 18 is disengaged from the gear 19, so that the gear 25 is therefore not now turned with the travel of the machine and the brushes and corresponding parts are not operated.

Vhen it is desired to sweep the road surface, the hand wheel 39 is rotated, lowering the float-ing frame and causing the stops 29 to rest upon the side members 7 of the framework. The clutch member 18 is now engaged with the gear 19, and as the adjacent road wheel 5 rotates, the said gear 19 also rotates, thereby rotating the sprocket wheels 26 through the agency of the gear 25 and shaft 24. This causes the first sprocket chains 33 to travel through the guides 30, around the sprocket wheels 32, and over the rollers 32a. As the chains are operated, the brushes 38 carried on the brush spindles 35 travel with the said chains and successively encounter the road surface. As each brush reaches the road-way, its gears 36 engage the toothed racks 31 of the floating frame. The onward movement of the sprocket chains 33 causes the gears 36 to rotate, the spindle 35 and brush 38 mounted thereon being thereby driven. Each revolving brush 38, as it leaves the road surface, travels up the garbage guideway 51, being driven or rotated while in the said guideway. The refuse it carries passes through the mouth 60 of the receiver 59.

Should it be desired to empty the garbage receiver 59, or dump the load, the floating frame is elevated as before described, and the driving of the brushes obviated by disconnecting the clutch member 18 from the gear 19. The second hand wheel 54 may now be rotated to turn the worm wheel 57 and cross shaft 58. The garbage receiver 59, being fixed to the cross shaft 58, turns therewith. The hand wheel 54 is turned until the mouth 60 of the receiver reaches a plane corresponding to the road or other surface beneath it. The machine if necessary may now be backed or otherwise moved so that the contents of the receiver 59 will discharge freely.

Having now described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a road-sweeping machine, the combination of a pivoted frame having its opposite side members provided with guides; means for raising and lowering one end of said frame; a. pair of sprocket chains mounted in said frame and engaged with said guides; brushes connecting said chains and carried thereby; means for driving said chains; and means for rotating each brush in succession during a portion of its t-ravel with said chains.

2. In a road-sweeping machine, the combination of a pivoted frame having its opposite side members provided with guides; means for raising and lowering one end of said frame; a pair of sprocket chains mounted in said frame and engaged with said guides; brushes connecting said chains and carried thereby; means for driving said chains; pinions carried by said brushes; and racks carried by said side members and engaged by the pinions on the successive brushes during a portion of their travel with said chains.

3. In a road-sweeping machine, the combination of a pivotally-mounted frame; means for raising and lowering theframe; an endless brush carrier mountedin said frame; a series of brushes rotatably mounted in said carrier; means for drivingsaid carrier; and means for rotating each brush in succession during a portion of its travel with said carrier.

4. In a road-sweeping machine, the combination of a pivoted frame comprising a pair of cheeks eachprovided upon'its upper edge with a channel guide and upon its lower face with a rack; means connected with said cheeks for raising and lowering the same; a pair of sprocket chains arranged between said cheeks1 and having their upper stretches engaged in said guides; a series of rotatable brushes connecting said chains and carried thereby; means for driving said chains; and pinions carried by said brushes for engagement successively with said racks to rotate said brushes during such engagement.

5. In a road-sweeping machine, the combination of a frame; an endless brush carrier mounted therein; a series of brushes rotatably mounted in said carrier; mea-ns for driving said carrier to move each brush successively toward, along and away from the road surface; and mea-ns for rotating each brush during its travel along said road surface.

6. In a road-sweeping machine, the combination of a frame; a. series of bodily-movable brushes arranged therein; means for moving each brush through said frame and successively toward, along and away from the road surface; and means for rotating each brush during its travel along said road surface.

7. In a road-sweeping machine, the combination of a vertically-movable frame; operating means therefor; a series of brushes arranged within said frame; means for moving said brushes through said frame and successively toward, along and away from the surface of the road; and means for rotating each brush during its travel along said surface.

8. In a. road-sweeping machineJ the combination of a frame; a brush carrier movably mounted therein; a series of brushes rotatably mounted in said carrier; means for driving said carrier, to bring each brush in succession into periodic contact with the surface of the road during its continued travel with said carrier; and means for rotating each brush during such contact.

9,'In a road-sweeping machine, the com` bination of a vertically-adjustable frame; operation means therefor; a movable brush carrier mounted in said frame; a series of brushes rotatably mounted in said carrier and movable bodily with the same, each successive brush being brought into periodic contact with the surface of the road during its continued travel with the carrier; means for driving said carrier; and means for rotating each brush during such contact.

10. In a road-sweeping machine, the combination, with a receiver, and a guideway leading thereto; of a frame; a brush carrier mounted in said frame; a series of brushes mounted in said carrier; means for driving said carrier; to move said brushes successively toward and along the surface of the road and along said guideway; and means for rotating each brush during its travel along said road surface and said guideway.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto aiiixed my signature in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES ROBERT PROSSER. 1Witnesses:

EDWIN PHILLIPS,

CEoIL Ln PLAsHmR.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

